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Dan Burn has lavished praise on Jude Bellingham’s rise as a commanding figure within the England camp, humorously questioning the Real Madrid ace’s age in the process. The Newcastle United defender believes that the midfielder’s growing influence is now comparable to that of captain Harry Kane as the Three Lions continue their pursuit of World Cup success.

Leadership from the elite

England began their 2026 World Cup journey with an emphatic 4-2 win over Croatia, powered by goals from their two talismans. Speaking at a press conference in Kansas City, Burn underlined the importance of having players like Kane and Bellingham performing at the highest level when the stakes are at their peak on the international stage.

“I think they’re both leaders of the group, playing for top clubs and at the height of their careers,” the tall Newcastle defender told reporters. “I know Jude’s 12 or whatever, but he’s still there! So he’s still got a long way to go, but it feels like he’s a big player for us. That’s vital. For any side that has world-class players, keeping them fit, firing, and scoring goals is key, and you need a bit of luck to carry that through the later stages of the tournament.”

Setting the tone on the pitch

Bellingham’s display in the opening match was a showcase of modern midfield excellence, blending technical finesse with relentless energy. Burn observed that the 22-year-old has a rare ability to lift the entire team through his intensity from the very first minutes, effectively demanding that those around him match his standards.

“For Harry to score the goals he did, and for Jude as well – I thought he was everywhere on the pitch,” Burn said. “He’s one of those players you can sense when he’s on it. He sets the tone. If he dives into a tackle three minutes in, it gives you that spark – like ‘wow, Jude’s on it today, I need to raise my level.’ He has that effect. Seeing him start the tournament so strongly made me really happy for him.”

Answering the critics

Despite being regarded as one of the world’s finest, Bellingham has faced criticism during the lead-up to the tournament. The former Borussia Dortmund star has often been at the centre of discussions about his position in the national lineup, but his match-winning heroics against Croatia were a timely reminder of his immense value to Thomas Tuchel’s system.

The midfielder himself addressed the external pressure with refreshing honesty. “I know it’s part of being a footballer; I don’t hold grudges against anyone who says bad things about me because sometimes I do deserve it,” he admitted. “Today was about showing people and reminding them who I am.” He reiterated that his attention remains on helping England achieve success rather than being distracted by the “noise” that inevitably surrounds a top Real Madrid player.

A special World Cup atmosphere

Beyond tactics and performances, Burn also highlighted the growing emotional bond between the players and the travelling supporters. After the final whistle in their opening fixture, the team joined fans in singing a beloved British anthem, a moment Burn believes has set a positive tone for the rest of the tournament in North America.

“It was an incredible moment, something truly special,” Burn reflected. “If that happens after every match, it’ll be unbelievable. It meant a lot to me, especially with my family there. It really set the tone, and hopefully we can build on that.” England will now aim to carry their momentum forward and secure qualification for the knockout stages when they face Ghana in their second group match on June 23.